Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4H （EIF4H） is a 248 amino acid protein which localizes to the perinuclear region of the cytoplasm and is expressed as 2 isoforms， termed short and long. EIF4H functions to stimulate the initiation of protein synthesis at the level of mRNA employment. EIF4H stimulates the RNA-dependent ATP hydrolysis catalyzed by EIF4A and EIF4B. EIF4H gene defects linked to Williams- Beuren syndrome （WBS）， a rare developmental disorder characterized by cardiovascular and musculo-skeletal abnormalities and caused by the deletion of contiguous genes at 7q11.23.
